NMC still waiting on FEMA assessment

Northern Marianas College is still waiting on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess the damage it incurred from Typhoon Soudelor, according to president Dr. Sharon Hart.

In a board meeting yesterday, Hart explained to board members that ultimately there are different scenarios as to how FEMA inspects the facility, noting that if a building is damaged over 50 percent, then FEMA would consider the building basically “destroyed.”

“That is why we wait for FEMA to ultimately assess the final report building by building,” she said.

According to NMC Administration and Resource Development dean David Attao, they are estimating between $4.5 and $6 million in damage from Typhoon Soudelor.

NMC met with FEMA last month, effectively beginning the 60-day time period where they can submit a request for public infrastructure assistance from the federal agency.

According to Hart, her report showed that they have started FEMA documentation.

On her monthly report, NMC so far has worked on debris removal after Typhoon Soudelor, worked on emergency preventive measures, procured all the needed equipment, materials, tools, and services in order to meet deadlines imposed upon NMC, worked on rebuilding the campus, worked on emergency processes and procurement, among others.

Pressed for time, Hart said NMC took emergency actions and conducted hazardous/premium type of work to ensure NMC was a safe and healthier environment for students to return to school.

Fall 2015 semester starts next week Monday, Sept. 28.

NMC assessment
According to Attao, NMC suffered damage to buildings A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R. S, T, V, W, and the Saipan Sports Complex (NMC Gym).
Buildings D, E, F, G, H, I, and J were severely damaged and rendered unusable. Damage needing repair/replacement includes:
• Repair and replace roof support, roof panels and roof insulation
• Replacement of interior and exterior ceiling systems
• Replacement of electrical system inclusive of lighting and fire protection systems
• Replacement of interior partition walls and insulation
• Replacement of floor system
• Replacement of all windows and doors inclusive of emergency preventive measures.

Buildings A, B, C, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, meanwhile, sustained moderate damage and are currently undergoing emergency repairs pending funding availability. Repair work includes:
• Roof repairs
• Building exterior repairs
• Window replacement
• Repair interior ceiling and wall damage from water intrusion
• Electrical repairs including panel work and replacement of interior and exterior lighting fixtures/lamps
• Replacement of damaged air conditioning units
• Mold mitigation, etc.
• For the NMC Gym, it sustained severe damage. No preliminary cost estimate available to date, according to Attao. Repair works include:
• Replacement of roof panels and insulation
• Repair/replace wall panels and insulation
• Repair/replace interior ceiling system
• Replacement of electrical system inclusive of lighting and fire protection systems
• Replacement of floor systems inclusive of rubber playing court floor
• Repair/replacement of court equipment (retractable backboards, score boards, PA system)
• Replacement of retractable bleachers

“We also like to thank the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation and the authors of the two bills, as well as Saipan SHEFA (Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance) for extending their services and helping the college, our students, faculty, staff, and communities we serve,” Attao said.